MWSS to make sure Maynilad, MWC improve treatment systems

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it has stepped up its comprehensive action plan to further improve the sewerage systems in Mega Manila.

This, according to MWSS, is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders to ensure public health and safety and as part of the inter-government agency committee monitoring compliance to the Philippine Clean Water Act.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco said his agency and its concessionaires, Manila Water Co. (MWC) and Maynilad, are continuously working to improve the waste water treatment and sewerage services in their areas of coverage.

To be exact, the two concessionaires have already submitted their business plans for 2018 to 2022 that included capital expenditures for sewerage and wastewater treatment facilities.

In Metro Manila, the MWSS is among the 15 agencies identified in the Clean Water Act responsible for the provision of sewerage and sanitation facilities, and for the efficient and safe collection, treatment and disposal of sewage — a mandate provided for in the MWSS charter as well.

A 2008 writ of continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court names the water agency among those ordered to “clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay and restore and maintain its water to SB level fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of contact recreation.”

Maynilad President and CEO Ramon Fernandez said that as of now, Maynilad operates 20 wastewater treatment plants that process waste water and sludge collected from customers. Over the next five years, the company will be building four new sewage treatment plants (STPs).

It has also adopted the Combined Sewerage System (CSS) concept, involving the use of existing drainages to catch waste water.

He added that Maynilad has allotted about 30 percent of this year’s capital investment budget for waste water management programs to create a bigger impact in the global effort to protect the environment.

“The construction of these new wastewater facilities is part of our effort to conform with the Supreme Court ruling in helping improve the quality of water,” he said. “It is our fervent hope that other stakeholders will also do their part so we can gain noteworthy ground in this endeavor.”

For its part, Manila Water has also put in place the Three River Master Plan which aims to achieve 100 percent sewer coverage by year 2037 through a combination of sewer-drainage and separate sewer systems, covering all catchments that discharge to the three river systems within the east concession — Marikina, Pasig and San Juan Rivers. Manila Water has a water treatment capacity of 310 million liters per day (MLD). It operates STPs and two septage treatment facilities.

“Given all of our programs, we make sure that wastewater is well taken care of within the communities,” said Manila Water President and CEO Ferdinand Dela Cruz.

Velasco said the partnership of the water agency with its concessionaires has not only made potable water accessible to residents of Metro Manila and its environs, it has also fast-tracked the improvement of sanitation services in coverage areas.

“We need to reduce the quantity and pollution load of wastewater that we produce to help protect the environment and our water resources,” he said.

Prior to the MWSS privatization instituted by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997, only less than eight percent had sewer coverage in the Greater Manila area.

There was minimal treatment at 2 percent and no septage treatment plant. Only some areas in Manila and Makati had sewerage facilities with most establishments using their own communal septic tanks.

Today, MWSS and its concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad have water treatment programs that benefit their customers.

Wastewater treatment is necessary to make the water safe for discharge back to the environment. It is a means of protecting the environment.